Match-winner Manuel

Neuer's brilliance sees Bayern into final

Created on 22-03-2012 at 00:00 AM

Call it intuition or sixth sense, but Mario Gomez saw it coming. Prior to the DFB Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out away to Borussia Mönchengladbach, he had a word with keeper Manuel Neuer. “I said: I do believe your time has come in this stadium," Gomez revealed, “I knew Manu would save us today." The striker, substituted earlier and condemned to watch the drama from the touchline, was proved right.

Neuer threw out his left foot to kick away Gladbach's fourth penalty, taken by Havard Nordtveit, sealing Bayern's place in the cup final at Berlin Olympic Stadium on 12 May, where Borussia Dortmund are the opponents. “I'm so pleased Manuel Neuer saved the decisive penalty," director of sport Christian Nerlinger chimed in after the match.